For Immediate Release
Friday, January 09, 2009
“Jump-Start the Economy Right Now”
Statement of AFSCME International President Gerald W. McEntee on Today's Announcement that the Jobless Rate Has Jumped to 7.2 Percent
"America lost more jobs in the last year of George W. Bush’s disastrous presidency than in any year since 1945, which is one reason why this nation voted overwhelmingly for change in November. With more than 11 million Americans out of work and millions more at risk of losing their jobs, Congress needs to move to jump-start the economy right now, and that must include major help for states and localities that are being forced to cut many of the vital public services that the American people rely on in times of economic crisis. This is not the time to make service cuts that will only make the task of recovery more difficult in the long run. We need to rebuild our economy, put people back to work and renew the American Dream."